Bernhard Langer Breaks Age Record, Shares Lead at Senior PGA Championship

The 68-year-old German golf legend posts a 6-under 66 despite a double bogey, tying for the first-round lead.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:11am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting Bernhard Langer's golf swing and the Concession Golf Club course, broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of vibrant green, blue, and yellow colors, conceptually representing the intricate physical movements and challenging terrain of senior major championship golf.Langer's ageless performance at the Senior PGA Championship showcases the geometric complexity and raw energy of elite senior golf.Bradenton Today

Bernhard Langer, the 68-year-old German golf legend, shot a 6-under 66 in the opening round of the Senior PGA Championship, breaking his age by two strokes and tying for the lead with Miguel Angel Jimenez, Brian Gay, and Steve Allan. Langer, who holds the record with 12 senior major championships, played his final six holes in 5-under par, including an eagle on the par-5 17th hole at Concession Golf Club.

Why it matters

Langer's continued dominance on the senior tour at his advanced age is a testament to his exceptional skill and fitness. His ability to break his age and contend for major championships well into his 60s is a remarkable feat that inspires golf fans and highlights the longevity of elite players in the sport.

The details

Despite a double bogey, Langer shot a 6-under 66, tying him for the lead with Miguel Angel Jimenez, Brian Gay, and Steve Allan. Langer played his final six holes in 5-under par, including an eagle on the par-5 17th hole. This is the first year Concession Golf Club is hosting the Senior PGA Championship, which is the oldest of the senior majors. Langer has won the event only once, in 2017.

  • Langer, who is 68 years old, shot a 6-under 66 in the opening round on Thursday.
  • Concession Golf Club is hosting the Senior PGA Championship for the first time this year, as part of a three-year contract to host the event.

The players

Bernhard Langer

A 68-year-old German golf legend who holds the record with 12 senior major championships.

Miguel Angel Jimenez

A 62-year-old Spanish professional golfer who is tied for the lead after the opening round.

Brian Gay

A professional golfer who is tied for the lead after the opening round.

Steve Allan

An Australian professional golfer who is tied for the lead after the opening round.

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What they’re saying

“It's fun to shoot my age. So whenever I shoot my age or better, usually I've played some good golf. That's one of the goals these days, especially when you play a difficult golf course, and these greens here are very difficult.”

— Bernhard Langer

What’s next

Langer will look to maintain his strong play and potentially win his second Senior PGA Championship title on Sunday.

The takeaway

Bernhard Langer's continued excellence on the senior tour, even at 68 years old, is a remarkable feat that showcases his exceptional skill, fitness, and longevity in the sport of golf. His ability to break his age and contend for major championships well into his 60s is an inspiration to golf fans and players alike.